Now Through December 13
Georgie’s Alibi St. Petersburg closed its doors earlier this year, to the sadness of many in the Tampa Bay LGBT community. The nightlife staple’s closure left many unanswered questions, 
such as what would become of the popular Toys for Tots drive, which has become one of the most popular events for the Tampa Bay LGBT community during the holiday season. Hotspots has now learned that the Toys for Tots tradition will continue in St. Petersburg for Christmas 2015, thanks to the efforts of local entertainer and former Georgie’s show director Kori Stevens.
Kori told us at Hotspots that the holiday toy drive will indeed go forward this year, which will surely brighten the holidays of many children in the Tampa Bay area. Donations will be accepted starting the week of Thanksgiving and can be dropped off at the Flamingo Resort (4601 34th St. S.). The annual Toys for Tots benefit, which Georgie’s used to host, will move to Flamingo as well.
The fifth annual Toys for Tots benefit will be held at the Flamingo on Sunday, December 13 at 8 p.m. Kori will be hosting, as always, and there will be raffles, giveaways, prizes, and a special drag show featuring entertainers from all over Tampa Bay, who will be donating their time and tips for such a great cause. Music will be provided by DJ L Mo.
Kori Stevens’ giving spirit can never be denied. She told us last year how much this toy drive means to her: “As a child, I was a recipient of the efforts of organizations like Toys for Tots…I always told myself that – if I ever got the opportunity – I would do my part to repay the generosity, or at least pay it forward.”
Toys for Tots is a nationwide toy drive sanctioned by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. The first toy drive was held during the Christmas season in 1947, and since then, Toys for Tots has given nearly half a billion toys to children in need. Last year’s holiday season saw over seven million children ages 12 and under receive toys in time for Christmas.
To donate to Toys for Tots, please purchase a new, unwrapped toy from a local retailer and donate it either to the Flamingo Resort’s front desk directly as previously mentioned, or to a toy drop location where you live. There are local chapters of Toys for Tots in 64 of Florida’s 67 counties ready to accept donations for the 2015 holiday season.
To find out more about Toys for Tots, visit toysfortots.org.
